Earthquake defense vibrotechnology

ABSTRACT

The Earthquake Defense Vibrotechnology for a definite local area comprises an underground structure of vibroset-kits placed in casing-well units. 
     Vibrosets generate mechanical operating response-vibrations and effectively transmit them to elastic layers of ground for instant seismic waves damping by closed vibro-cage, formed by vibro-frequentative shields, closed-loop walls, and closed guards, which are shaped under protected area. 
     Vibrosets are automatically and directly controlled by vibrosensors for operation within 1.5-2 seconds after seismic waves of definite magnitude start and stop when earthquake ends. 
     The frequentative interactions with forced superposition of generated response-vibrations and seismic waves provide their destructive interference, and thus effective damping. 
     The amplitudes of seismic waves become about 5 times reduced, and calmed down to safe levels until dangerous shocks end.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not applicable.

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This proposal relates to the multiple problems connected with dangerousearthquakes. It also particularly relates to:

-   -   General wave mechanics, wave propagation in elastic solids,        seismic waves specifics;    -   Wave superposition, mechanical waves damping, especially        combined mutual damping of forced mechanical oscillations,        frequentative interactions;    -   Mechanical and other vibromachines;    -   Automatic control with usage of vibration sensors;    -   Dry well structures.

We have in the world about 210 violent earthquakes of magnitudes 6.0 to8.1 per year. Seismic areas need reliable protection. Regularpredictions, precautions, preparedness, antiseismic reinforcements ofsome separate structures are not enough. The VAN-method uses seismicelectrical signals of telluric currents in the ground of some areas onlyfor advanced predictions.

The subject matter of the present proposal is a local undergroundstructure of vibrosets placed in casing-well units. Vibrosets generateand transmit operating vibrations for seismic waves damping by effectivefrequentative superpositions. Instant starting of operation, adjustedfrequency of multiple v-forms (vibroforms) such as closed continuousoperating v-shields, v-fences, v-guards provide calming seismic wavesdown to safe levels.

Any prior art connected with developed in present proposalvibrotechnology of immediate frequentative responding, treating, anddamping seismic waves down for a whole area were not found.

Patents in classes 346, 367, 181, 33, 52 deal with only earthquakerecorders, seismographs, seismoinstruments, and proof construction ofseparate objects and/or elements. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of this proposal to provide:

-   a) A reliable protection of local seismic areas like towns, cities,    dams, bridges, others, from destructive earthquakes instead of    regular vibroinsulation and various reinforcements of separate    buildings, towers, others;-   b) Effective response, automatic instant acting with frequentative    interference, destructive superposition and dampening all kinds of    seismic waves by generated acting vibrations;-   c) Immediate shaping underground of protected areas, a closed    vibrocage of doubled frequentative v-shields, v-walls and v-guards    for reliable dampening seismic waves and reducing shake-amplitudes    to safe levels.

The nature and substance of Earthquake Defense Vibro-Technology is alocal array of frequentative vibrosets placed by kits in verticalcasing-well units for:

-   -   Generating and systemic transmitting higher frequency operating        vibrations to the elastic layers of protecting area underground,    -   Destructive interacting and effective dampening of seismic        waves,    -   Calming seismic waves down to safe magnitude levels.

The sensor control system of said vibro-technology provides:

-   -   Instant start and well-timed stop of dampening vibrations,        directly depended on real definitive seismic magnitudes,    -   Frequentative and phase disorder to all kinds of seismic waves        for dampening them as fast as possible, and thus shortening        earthquake duration on strong levels to about 2 seconds maximum.    -   Substantial, about 80%, reducing of seismic waves amplitude        indexes.

DRAWING FIGURES

In the drawings closely related elements have the same numbers butdifferent alphabetic suffixes. Numbers of views and sections accord tonumbers of figures where they are shown. All the drawings are schematicand scaleless for needed clarity of proposed solutions.

FIG. 1 shows a plain view of the Earthquake Defense Vibrotechnologystructure protecting an exemplary town area.

FIGS. 2, 3, 4 illustrate elements of closed underground vibro-cageformed by generated dampening vibrations.

FIG. 2 is a section 2-2 taken in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a two-level section 3-3 taken in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a two-level section 4-4 taken in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal vertical section 5-5, taken in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are turned 90-degree cross-sections 6-6 and 7-7 taken inFIG. 5, respectively.

FIG. 8 is an examplary seismogram showing seismic waves' amplitudesunderground of unprotected area.

FIG. 9 is an examplary seismogram showing damped seismic waves' reducedamplitudes underground of area protected by present vibrotechnologymeans.

A note: an examplary time indicator, common for both seismograms ofFIGS. 8 and 9, is placed between said figures.

FIG. 10 is a graph illustrating the functional dependence of dampenedseismic waves' amplitude reducings from frequency ratios and showing thepreferable regions of operation in various conditions and adjustments.

All the figures relate to operation time.

REFERENCE NUMERALS, SYMBOLS, NOTATION, NOTES

Structures and units.

-   20-    Vibro-set kit-   21 Casing-well unit-   21A Vibro-outlet through hole-   22 Sensor control system-   22A Vibration sensor-   23A-    Level vibroset-   23B-    Rim vibroset-   23C Vibration machine-   23D Stop-slab device-   23E Vibroframe-   23F Vibro-drive-adjuster-   23G Back stop-adjusters-   23H Suspension-gasket unit-   24A Casing assembly-   24B Casing vibroset-segment-   24C Casing insert-segment-   25 Dry well-   26 Maintenance unit-   27 Stair case zone-   28 Reserve zone

Wave forms and operating vibrations.

-   a) 29 Seismic earthquake shocks:-   29A,-    Undampened waves-   29D,-    Dampened waves in protected area-   b) 30,-    Response dampening vibrations, v-forms.-   30P, -x-x- Protected area perimeter line-   21, <Upper v-belt (vibro-belt)<-   31S,-    (Upper v-shield (vibro-shield)-   32,-    Lower v-belt-   32S,-    Lower v-shield-   33,-    Upper v-fence-   33W, Upper closed-loop v-wall-   33G, Upper closed v-guard-   34,-    Lower v-fence-   34W, Lower closed-loop v-wall-   34G, Lower closed v-guard-   35, Closed vibro-cage-   c) 36,-    Superposition of seismic waves and response vibrations

Reference numerals 21, 24, 26, 27, 28 are conventional units used inpresent new vibrotechnology. Control connections and regular devices arenot shown.

Notes to FIGS. 8, 9, and 10.

-   a) a_(si) Seismic waves amplitude indexes-   a_(s) Amplitude indexes of seismic waves-   a_(d) Amplitude indexes of dampened seismic waves in protected area.-   a_(r) Amplitude indexes ratio related to average displacements and    accelerations:

${a_{r} = \frac{ad}{a_{s}}};$

-   —-time, sec;    —starting time-   _(dr)—-earthquake duration.-   b) W_(r) Frequency ratio;

${w_{r} = \frac{wdv}{w_{sw}}},$

-    where-   W_(dv) averaged frequency of dampening vibrations-   W_(sw) averaged frequency of seismic waves.-   c)

L.D. Low dampening w_(r) ≅ 4.5; a_(r) ≅ 0.25 G.D. Good dampening w_(r) ≅5.0; a_(r) ≅ 0.22 B.D. The best dampening w_(r) ≅ 5.5; a_(r) ≅ 0.18

-   d)    Operating values of w_(r) according reduced ar

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The Earthquake Defense Vibrotechnology for a definite local areaincludes:

a) an array of vibroset-kits 20, placed insideb) a structure of casing-well units 21, andc) a sensor control system 22,

Any of kits 20 includes level-vibrosets 23A, and rim-vibrosets 23B. Anyof units 21 includes a casing assembly 24A and a dry well 25. The systemof control 22 comprises vibration sensors for automatic detecting ofdefinite magnitude seismic shakes, instant starting, and well-timedending of vibrosets operations.

FIG. 1 shows an examplary structure of casing-well units 21 withvibroset kits 20 placed around an examplary town area. The schematic mapshows borders of protected area from seismic waves 24/A marked byperimeter lines 30P. Sensor control systems 22 of any of kits 20 arealso shown.

FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 represent said vibrotechnology:

The level-vibrosets 23A and rim-vibrosets 23B produce forced operatingvibrations 30 forming underground vibro-belts 31, 32 and vibro-fences33, 34 respectively; said vibro-belts shape frequentative vibro-shields31 s, 32 s. Said vibro-fences shape frequentative vibro-walls 33 w, 34w, and vibro-guards 33G, 34G. Said underground frequentativevibro-shields and vibro-walls are continuous and closed-looprespectively. Said shields, walls, and guards together form a closedvoluminous frequentative vibro-cage 35 of forced dampening vibrations30, almost instantly, within 1.5-2 seconds after seismic shakes ofdefinite magnitude begin, and vibro-sets 23A, 23B start operation.

FIG. 2 illustrates said vibro-cage 35 in underground cross-section ofexamplary town and shows: upper v-shield 31 s, lower v-shield 32 s,upper closed-loop v-wall 33 w, lower closed-loop v-wall 34 w, upper andlower closed v-guards 33G, 34G respectively. The casing-well unit 21,undampened seismic waves 29A, dampened seismic waves 29D in protectedarea are also shown.

FIG. 3 shows rim-vibrosets 23B, placed in their casing-well units 21,and producing upper and lower operating vibro-fences 33, 34; said fencesform: upper closed-loop v-wall 33 w, identical lower closed-loop v-wall34 w, upper and lower closed v-guards 33G, 34G, respectively. Saidv-walls 33 w, 34 w, and v-guards 33 w, 34 w, and 33G, 34G shape thevertical protecting perimeter which is doubled at expected dangerousdirections. Undampened and dampened seismic waves 29, 29D respectivelyare shown.

FIG. 4 illustrates level vibrosets 23A, inside their casing-well units21, and producing upper and lower operating vibro-belts 31, 32. Saidbelts form upper v-shield 31S and identical lower v-shield 32S.Undampened and dampened seismic waves 29, 29D respectively are shownrelatively to the protected area.

FIG. 5 illustrates the general preferable design and arrangement of thevibroset-kit 20. Said kit 20 includes two, for example, level-vibrosets23A, and two rim-vibrosets 23B, and sensor control system 22, all placedin and connected with their casing-well unit 21. Casing assembly 24A,casing segments 24B, 24C, maintenance unit 26, dry well 25, examplaryupper and lower operating v-belts and v-fences 31, 32, 33, 34 are shown,respectively.

FIGS. 6, 7 illustrate plan-view design of level-vibroset 23A andrim-vibroset 23B respectively. Arrangements of vibrosets 23A, 23B withvibro-outlet through holes 21S of casing-well unit 21 are shown. Any ofexamplary unbalanced masses vibration machines 23C and their vibro-driveadjusters 23F are in assembly with their vibroframes 23E, two stop-slabdevices 23D, two stop-slab adjusters 23G, two suspension-gasket units23H. Casing segments 24B, dry well 25, stair case zone 27, reserve zone28 are also shown. FIGS. 6, 7 show also dampened seismic waves 29D,upper v-fence 33, lower v-belt 32 operating in common frequentativefields of protected area.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are examplary comparative and relative seismograms whichillustrate:

a) Undamped seismic waves 29A in unprotected areab) Dampened seismic waves 29D in protected area inside perimeter line30Pc) ≅0.2; average of amplitude ratiod) Starting time of vibrosets 23A, 23B operation ______≅1.5-2 secondse) Vibrosets operation time ______≅40 secondsf) Earthquake duration time ______≅2+40≅42 seconds (example)

FIG. 10 is a graph illustrating one of the substantial theoretical basesof present earthquake defense vibrotechnology. The curves explainfunctional dependences of amplitude indexes ratios ar from frequencyaveraged ratios wr for various adjustment dampening factors. The curvesshow:

-   a) Indicated frequentative superposition 36 of response damping    vibrations 36 and seismic waves 29, with frequency ratio w_(r) equal    about 5.5, accords to amplitude indexes ratio a_(r)≅0.2 in average.-   b) The adjustments of frequency ratio w_(r) more than about 5.0±15%    can provide effective reducing of amplitude indexes to the levels of    about 20% of undamped seismic waves, and thus effective damping and    calming seismic waves down to safe levels.-   c) Three curves show dependencies a_(r)=f(w_(r)) for low, good, and    best dampings L.D., G.D., and B.D. respectively.

Key Elements and Steps of Operation:

-   a) Sensor control system 22 automatically defines real frequencies    of earthquake waves 29A and launches vibroset kits 20 into work    within 1.8-2 seconds after shocks 29 began and reached definite    magnitudes.-   b) Vibrosets 23B and 23C generate damping operating vibrations 30    with frequencies w_(dv) higher about 4.5±15% times of real seismic    waves 29 frequencies.-   c) Stop-slab devices 23D, with slab stop adjusters 23F, providing    constant backing to the elastic layers of underground, transmit    damping vibrations 30 to said layers forming frequentative    vibro-belts 31, 32 and vibro-fences 33, 34 in both of every vibroset    23 opposite directions.-   d) Upper v-belts 31 form upper continuous v-shield 31S, lower    v-belts 32 form lower continuous v-shield 32S.-   e) Simultaneously upper and lower v-fences 33, 34 form upper and    lower closed loop v-walls 33W, 34W, and upper and lower closed    v-guards 33G, 34G, respectively.-   f) The v-shields 31S, 32S, v-walls 33W, 34W, v-guards 33G, 34G shape    the operating frequentative closed vibro-cage 35 underground of    protected area.-   g) All the vibro-elements of cage 35 interact with earthquake shocks    29, superpositioning them with needed frequency ratio w_(r) and    dampening earthquakes waves down.-   h) The amplitude indexes of seismic waves are reduced in 4-6 times    thus making the protected area safe.-   i) When the earthquake ends, the sensor control system 22 stops    vibroset-kits 20 operation, remaining ready to possible aftershocks    and/or other earthquakes.

1. An Earthquake Defense Vibrotechnology for a local area comprising: a)An underground structure of vibroset-kits, placed in casing-well units,for generating and systemic transmitting mechanical operating vibrationsof definite adjusted frequencies in order to dampen seismic waves downinto safe magnitudes, and b) A sensor control system to provide instantstart and well-timed stop of dampening vibrations.
 2. Thevibrotechnology of claim 1 wherein any of said vibroset-kits includes:Level-vibrosets producing operating, frequentative dampening upper andlower v-belts; Rim-vibrosets producing operating, frequentativedampening upper and lower v-fences; Vertical arrangement of both saidkinds of vibrosets into a common casing-well unit.
 3. Said v-belts andv-fences of claim 2 form operating, continuous, and dampening: Upper andlower v-shields consisting of v-belts, Upper and lower closed-loopv-walls consisting of v-fences, Upper and lower closed v-guardsconsisting of v-fences.
 4. Said v-shields, v-walls, and v-guards ofclaim 3 shape a closed combined v-cage underground protected local area.5. Said v-shields, v-walls, and v-guards of claim 3 are dampeningvibro-fields with generated frequencies at least 5 times higher thanseismic waves frequencies in order to provide effective and substantialreducing of earthquake amplitudes by forced destructive vibro-wavesuperposition.
 6. Any of said level-vibroset and rim-vibroset of claim 2includes: Vibration machine with vibro-drive adjuster and vibro-frame;Stop-slab device with back stop-adjuster; Suspension-gasket unit. 7.Said vibration machines of claim 6 are depending on local conditions anddesign arrangements, and can be: Reaction type with rotating unbalancedmasses Direct-drive vibro-units, Electrodynamic assemblies, and/orcombined.
 8. The vibrotechnology of claim 1 wherein any of saidcasing-well units comprises: a) Vertical concrete dry well withdirecting windows for vibrosets, b) Multisegment inner casing-assembly,c) Maintenance unit.
 9. Said casing-assembly of claim 8 includes:V-segments with holes for vibrosets, Insert-segments with flexibleconnectors to adjacent segments, Maintenance elements.
 10. Said windowsof claim 8 and holes of claim 9 are placed on levels of elastic layersof protected area underground.
 11. The vibrotechnology of claim 1wherein said sensor control system includes: a) vibration sensors forevery said vibroset, b) a reserve sensor-unit for every said vibrosetand every said vibroset-kit.
 12. The Earthquake Defense Vibrotechnologyfor a local area includes regulating and/or adjusting units and devicesin order to provide: a) Immediate start of operation within 2 secondsmaximum, after definite magnitude earthquake begins, b) Back-stop forcesof stop-slab devices for effective vibrations transmission to elasticlayers of underground depending on local conditions, c) Frequency ratioabout 5.0 between generated operating vibrations and real seismic wavesfor effective dampening to safe levels; d) Independent and flexiblevibroset suspensions for effective transmission of generated vibrationsto ground layers and reliable insulation casing-well units from saidvibrations.
 13. Said regulating and/or adjusting units and devices ofclaim 12 can be mechanical, and/or electromechanical, and/or electronic,and/or combined depending on design and local conditions.